Fated by Rebecca Zanetti Page B

vampire, no less. A tiny voice reminded her he had hunted for her, he had killed for her. His actions had consequences she might not be able to put into words, but she felt them to her bones. Without even touching her, he had made her his. His primal gaze told her so.
    Her nipples hardened at the thought, and she shook her head against his claim.
    Talen’s eyes narrowed as the air vibrated around him. “You’ll not shake your head at me.” His command was quiet compared to the drumming rain outside, yet held more danger.
    Her pulse quickened. “I’ll do what I damn well please, Talen.” She welcomed the onslaught of her rushing temper as a relief from the unfulfilled aching in her lower body. “We may be temporarily married, but I’m not one of your people, and I don’t take orders from you.”
    He stilled, his unique eyes sharpening to burnt gold. Absent of even a hint of mercy, they captured hers.
    “I had hoped to wait until we were home before taming that temper of yours,
mate.”
Talen’s voice softened in warning, a predatory light enhancing the green flecks in his eyes. “But I’m all right with taking care of it now, if you so wish.”
    Cara could only stare at the large man before her. A rushing desire warred with her hefty temper. Danger swirled around her. This shouldn’t turn her on, damn it. She bypassed the nearest movable object, an old cast-iron pot, and went for the knife block instead.
    Talen moved faster than possible. His much larger body pinned her against the lower cupboards, one hand tangled in her hair, the other around her small waist. She never even touched a knife handle. He easily picked her up with one arm and plopped her on the counter. His hips forced her knees apart. With a twist of his wrist, he tugged her head back to stare down into her eyes.
    “You’re not the only one with a temper, mate.” Churned gravel coated his voice. He lowered his chiseled face to within an inch of hers, and his hardened groin pressed firmly against her softness. “You’d best remember that.”
    The rush of heat was unwelcome, and she struggled furiously in his firm grip. Her hands pushed uselessly against his rock-hard chest. Her breasts thrust out as he held her head still. “Stop calling me ‘mate,’ and let me go.” She stifled a groan against the desire pooling between her thighs.
    His lips tickled hers before he spoke. “You are my mate,” he brushed her lips again, “and there’s no fucking way in hell I’m letting you go.” With a groan, he took her mouth, his lips firm and unrelenting. He delved deep into the warm recesses of her mouth, the arm around her waist pulling her against his straining erection. There was no issue of Cara refusing him. He didn’t ask. He took.
    She froze against the demanding heat of his mouth, fighting the liquid fire rushing through her. He angled her head, delved deeper than before, taking exactly what he wanted, and apparently what she wanted as well. The rain and wind clamored outside while the erotic savagery of his kiss ruthlessly conquered any remaining resistance.
    With a whimper, she stopped trying to wrestle control over her new reality and gave herself up to the fire rising fast andburning hot inside her. What could one kiss hurt? The scent of man filled her head and suddenly, she
craved.
She returned his kiss with all the passion she had kept at bay for years. The amazing strength of him, the sheer maleness of him, overwhelmed her. Her palm splayed against the solid granite of his chest, and she moaned deep inside her throat.
    Heat filled her. He began to draw away, and she nipped at his bottom lip, wanting more. His eyes darkened to molten fire. The hand in her hair tightened and his wrist twisted again, exposing the graceful column of her neck. He lifted her off the counter by her buttocks. She ran wet as he easily balanced her against him with one hand, her knees clasping the sides of his hips. Giving a smart shake of her head, she